Fiery Harlot Seduced by a Duke Page 7

  What am I saying? It’s not his cottage anyway, she mused. If I’m going to escape I’m must stay calm and rational.

  She noticed the burning candle in the window; it was like a beacon of hope in her distress. Surely the woodcutter would take pity on her.

  “Doesn’t someone live here? Look at the burning embers of the fire.” She glanced over to the cottage. “And the candle in the window.”

  Robert glared at her. “It’s my cottage. I use it occasionally to hunt in the forest.”

  Mary’s hopes were dashed, would she ever come out alive. The only thing she had left to entice him with was her body. “Why don’t you release me in the morning?” She looked deep into his eyes. “I won’t tell a soul about the raid on the carriage.”

  “But Lord Clarkson will.”

  “Have faith.” She took hold of his hand. “He will keep it a secret.”

  Robert pondered her words. He was already having doubts about the venture. He felt brave when William was with him, but now he had been left alone to finish the deed he was beginning to get cold feet.

  Mary sensed her words were having an impact. “You can do what you want with me, if you let me go.”

  Robert gazed down at her sweet face; the moonlight bathed it in a seductive light. Her pale blue eyes and sensuous lips intrigued him. He felt a strong urge deep in his loins. What strange delights they could make together.

  She gave him a seductive smile that melted his heart. He lowered his mouth to her lips. As he wrapped his muscular arms around her, they engaged in a warm French kiss that sent an erotic tingle through their bodies.

  Robert groaned with desire as Mary’s kisses became more intense. As his large hands explored her shapely body, his manhood began to throb with passion. He couldn’t hold back any longer. Suddenly a lone wolf howled in the forest.

  Chapter 17

  The wolf brought Robert back to reality. He broke away from their passionate embrace. What was he doing? Was he falling for a scheming woman that would see him hung?

  She was his prisoner? A very important one once the ransom was paid. Then he could live a carefree life of a scoundrel once more. The wolf loudly howled again.

  “Get inside my cottage.” Robert grabbed her by the arm. “You scheming witch.”

  “Don’t talk to me like that.”

  “That’s what you are.” He pushed her towards the cottage. “I won’t be fooled by your feminine wiles again.”

  “It’s not my fault.” Angry tears streamed down her face. “I don’t want to be a prisoner.”

  “You are my prisoner,” he shouted in her ear. “Until I get the ransom off Lord Clarkson.”

  “But what happens if you don’t,” she sobbed.

  “Shut up!” He pushed her towards the door. “You ask too many questions.”

  Mary stood still in front the door. All kinds of thoughts flew around her mind. Maybe he was a mad axe man who lured women to the forest.

  But then again if he was sane, what was her fate if no ransom was paid? - either way, she’ll be dead by the morning.

  Mary appealed to her captive one last time. She turned around and gripped him by the coat. “Please release me.”

  “No,” he snarled into her face. “I’m not fooled by your innocent pleas.” He turned her around and pushed her through the door. ”You’re still my prisoner.”

  “In a cottage that no one will find,” she cried as she stumbled onto the bare floor boards.

  “Would you prefer an empty well or a cell?” His chilling words gripped Mary’s heart.

  She was resigned to her fate as she looked around at her prison. There was a table and two chairs by an empty fireplace. A small bed was pushed up against the wall, next to a cupboard with a jug and bowl on top.

  When Robert slammed the door behind her, she felt trapped, like a caged animal. Mary felt an anger rise inside her. She was sick of being the victim. She turned around and confronted him. “How long will I be here?”

  “One week,” he responded.

  “What happens if you don’t get the ransom?”

  “Lord Clarkson’s squalid lifestyle will be exposed in a local paper. His reputation will be in tatters.”

  “But what happens to me,” she protested.

  “It would be a life and death situation,” he replied with a solemn expression.

  “Would you kill me?”’

  He fell silent. It was one thing to fight hardened men on the battlefield; another thing to kill a beautiful, vulnerable woman. He broke away from her tearful gaze. “I must go now.”

  “You’re going to leave me on my own.” She looked out the window at the dark shadows in the forest. “But it’s so dark.” She gripped her gown in fear. “I’m in the middle of no where.”

  “The perfect prison.” Robert walked over to the door.

  “Please don’t leave me.” She stood in front of him. “There are wolves outside.”

  “They can’t get you. I will lock you in.”

  A lone wolf howled in the forest. Mary clutched his coat in fear. “Can’t you stay until first light?” She pressed her head against his chest.

  He reluctantly cradled her in his arms. Was she really scared? Or was she trying to lure him into a trap again? More wolves howled outside that made her cling tighter.

  “There’s a pack of wolves out there.” She savoured his strong, muscular arms around her. “Hold me tight.”

  Robert began to feel guilty, what if the wolves did get into the cottage? He had to focus on the end result. A massive pay off of his gambling debt. Then they would both be free.

  “Please stay the night with me.” He stroked her hair to try and calm her nerves. “Come and sit by the table.”

  She sat on the chair and wiped the tears from her face. Robert pulled a plate of bread and butter over to her. “You can have my food.” He pulled a jug over to her plate. “And my ale too.”

  “I can’t stay here.” She looked over at the empty fireplace. “I will freeze to death without a fire.”

  “Then I will make you one.” He gathered some wood and paper and began to make the fire. Mary quietly ate some bread and butter and drank some ale. As she watched him build the fire, she wondered how he had fell upon hard times.

  “Do you enjoy robbing people?”

  Robert was startled by her question. He looked back over his shoulder. “It’s not something I would recommend.”

  “So why do you do it.”

  “Because I have to.” He turned back to the grate and filled it with more wood, then picked up another bundle. “I may be from a different class but we all need extra capital in our lives.”

  “Why not earn it in a more honourable way,” Mary pondered. “On the battlefield.”

  Robert dropped some sticks of wood. “Why did you say that?”

  “Just something Lord Clarkson said.”

  “And you believe everything he says?”

  “Sometimes.”

  He finished the fire in silence, then got up from the fireplace and lit some candles around the cottage.

  “It must be horrible to see your friends slaughtered on the battlefield,” Mary said in a matter of fact voice. “You would never get over that.”

  Robert resented her being so personal to him. “I suppose it’s something you know a lot about,” he said sarcastically. He walked over to the door. ”I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “You’re leaving me on my own?” She stood up from her chair and clutched his arm. “Don’t leave me in the dark.”

  “It’s not dark in here.” He pointed to the fire. “You have a fire and plenty of candles that will last till dawn.”

  She clasped his hand. “I mean it’s dark outside.”

  “I’ve done everything I can for you.” He pulled his hand away from her. “I must go now.”

  Mary began to panic. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me here, with a pack of wolves roaming outside.”

  “They can’t get you in here.”
Robert put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I will light a small fire in front of the cottage. It will deter all kinds of wildlife.”

  She began to cry with fright. She was scared and exhausted, ready to give up the fight. “Please take me with you.”

  “You’re getting hysterical woman stand aside.” He pushed her to one side. “I will be back at first light.”

  As he opened the door she tried to escape, but he pushed her back. “Stay in the cottage.”

  “And die here!” She screamed at him. “That’s what will happen if you don’t get the ransom.”

  He returned a cold look. “Lord Clarkson will decide your fate.”

  Tears poured down her face. “I’ve heard horrible stories about girls being locked up in cottages or thrown down a well never to be seen again.”

  Her hysterics annoyed Robert. As she made another attempt to escape he threw her on the floor. “Get away from me woman.”

  When he banged shut the door and locked it, Mary cried hysterically on the floor. “I’m too young to die.” She curled up in a small ball. “No one will find me here,” she cried as more wolves howled in the forest.

  Chapter 18

  The shrill sound of a cockerel awoke Mary at dawn. She sat up from the wooden floor in a daze. What was she doing here? As she looked around at the bare cottage, flashbacks of the night before filled her mind.

  The sound of a shotgun. The carriage screeching to a stop. But most of all the chilling demands of a Highwayman.

  ‘The ransom,” she gasped. “That’s why I’m here.’ She was hit by a chilling thought. “Will I live or die?”

  Mary got off the floor and fixed her hair in a mirror on the wall. As she smoothed down the creases in her gown, she noticed an abandoned crust on the table. She sat down and savoured the stale bread as she pondered her next move.

  What do I do now? Give up or find a way out? She mused. There must be a way out somewhere?

  She walked over to the window and tried to pull away a piece of wood hammered across the window, but it stood firm. She hammered her fists against the old door, hoping it might break, but that didn’t work either.

  “I’m trapped.” Mary slumped against the door in despair. “Come on woodcutter come back to the forest and cut some trees,” she shouted.

  Mary gasped as she heard a key in the lock. She moved away from the door. Was it a woodcutter, she thought, or a tramp looking for food? She didn’t care any more; once the door was open she would break out and escape.

  As a man came through the door, she pushed past him and ran out of the door. Robert turned around and grabbed her back by the arm. ”Get back inside!”

  “No,” she screamed. “I’m not going to die here.”

  “You will do as I say.” Robert pulled her towards the door.

  “No I won’t.” A struggle took place in the doorway. Robert won the fight and manhandled her into the cottage and shut the door.

  “Call yourself a man.” Mary shook with rage. “How can you do this to a woman?”

  “Stop it.” He shook her by the shoulders. “You’re getting hysterical.”

  “I won’t.” She beat her fists against his chest. “Let me go,” she screamed.

  Robert smacked her across the face. Mary broke away in a state of shock. She couldn’t take anymore. She put her face in her hands and cried.

  Robert stepped back he began to feel guilty, what sort of man was he turning into? He didn’t mean to cause her such stress.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to hit you.” He tried to make amends by putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Once I get the ransom you’ll be free.”

  Mary shrugged him off and dried her tears in the corner of the room.

  Robert noticed how pale and thin she had become. Being a hostage had taken a toll on her health. He had a deep desire to wrap her in his arms and kiss her tears away.

  But he had to focus on his own needs. Once he got the ransom money all his debts would be cleared. He would escape a loveless marriage to Lady Emily Mountford and be free.

  He glanced over at a few scraps of bread on a plate. “You must be hungry. Do you want something to eat?” Mary slowly turned around from the corner as he took some food from his bag. “I’ve got some fresh bread, ham and pork pies.” He pulled out a chair. “Come and eat with me?”

  Mary wasn’t sure what to do at first, she was still wary of him.

  “I’ll make a meal for both of us.” He pulled out some bottles of ale from his bag. “With some ale too.”

  Mary glanced over at the food on the table, her mouth watered at the invitation. “I’m not going to get a better offer I suppose.”

  * * * *

  After a small repast and some beer Mary began to relax in Robert’s company. She told him about her life as a governess in London, but did not mention her fall from grace as a streetwalker. Robert listened intently as he drank some ale.

  “You’ve heard all about my life in London.” She took another bite from her pork pie. “What about your life?”

  “I can’t tell you about my life?” Robert’s amenable expression turned into a grimace. “I’m your jailer not your friend.” He slowly put his tankard on the table. “It would not be wise to reveal any information to you.”

  Mary was sad that their pleasant conversation had taken a more formal tone. “You don’t have to tell me everything.”

  “Any information would be too much.” He quietly chewed on his bread. “There is one thing I am curious about?”

  “What is it?” Mary asked hoping he wouldn’t get too personal.

  “Are you really Lord Clarkson’s mistress?”

  “Yes.” She averted her eyes from his curious stare. “We’ve known each other for some time.”

  “Where did you meet?”

  “Were did we meet?” She pondered. She touched her face in a nervous gesture.

  “We met at the theatre.”

  He broke into a smile. “You’re an actress.”

  “A very good one,” she lied. “A respectable lady.”

  “Are you sure?” He didn’t believe any of it. “Or are you one step away from the street?”

  “How can you say such a thing,” she protested. “I would never stoop that low.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Maybe he had got it wrong. “I could never understand how any woman could sell her body.”

  Mary resented his comment. “What if there was no other way to make a living.”

  “A woman would have to be desperate to do that,” he laughed.

  “What a charmed life you have led sir.” She looked away in disgust, he might have fought in a war, but he had never gone hungry. Poverty was another war that common folk had to fight on a daily basis.

  ”There are a lot of desperate women out there working for food and a roof over their head. I’m one of them.”

  Robert didn’t like being put in his place by a common whore. He withdrew into a sullen silence. He began to have serious doubts about the ransom being paid.

  Lord Clarkson might pay a twelve-guinea ransom for a mistress he had known for a while, but not for a harlot.

  What if he doesn’t get any ransom? He reflected. He would have to kill her or risk being hung. He had to see William and forge a new plan.

  “I must go now.” Robert stood up from his chair. “I need to see a friend.”

  “Can’t you see him another day?” Mary replied. “You’ve only just arrived.”

  Robert looked at the dying embers of the fire. “I’ll get some more wood for the fire before I leave.” He walked over to the door and unlocked it with a key.

  “I wish you would stay a while.” Mary anxiously looked around the room. “I hate being alone at night in the pitch black.”

  “It won’t be forever. If we get the ransom?” He slipped through the door and banged it shut.

  Mary looked over to the door. She didn’t hear the click of a key. She crept over to the door and lifted the bolt. As she opene
d the door she saw Robert chopping wood in the forest. She had to escape now - while his back was turned.

  Mary ran out of the cottage and raced through the trees. It was good to feel the wind on her face after being locked up - but most of all she felt free.

  As she stumbled over a fallen log in the forest, she heard a rustle behind her. Was it a fox? She mused, as she ran through the meadow a heavy weight fell on top of her.

  “Like to play dirty,” Robert screamed as he pinned her to the ground. “You fiery harlot.”

  Chapter 19

  “Don’t talk to me like that,” Mary screamed back. “I am a lady.”

  “You’ll never be a lady.” He pulled her arms back against the grass. “You don’t fool a military man of war.”

  “Is that what you are,” she hissed into his face. “A rich, spoilt duke, bored with war.”

  “Shut up.” He hated the way she teased him. Why did she have such a hold over him? He looked down at her quivering breasts. He felt a deep urge to pull up her gown and take her now.

  “I won’t shut up.” She struggled to free her hands from his clasp. “For an honourable military man.”

  “Don’t be sarcastic with me. You know nothing about the horrors of war.” He still had nightmares of the dead officers he lost on the battlefield.

  “That’s if you really went to war.” Mary narrowed her eyes. “Did Daddy get you a nice safe job in Whitehall?”

  “How dare you say that?” He raised his hand in anger. “I’ve fought with the rest of them.” His eyes raged with anger. “I don’t want to hit you again, but I’m close to it.”

  “Go one then,” she gloated in his face. “I won’t go without a fight.”

  “Don’t tempt me.” He put his hands around her throat.

  “Whatever you’re going to do kill me first.” Her blue eyes flashed with defiance.

  “There are plenty of brothels to satisfy your lust.”

  “I’ve had enough of your insults,” he screamed, ripping into her dress.